Janet and Jim's

Pennsylvania Photologue #2

This is the second of our photologues of various sites we've seen and places we've been in the state of Pennsylvania, USA. To see the big picture simply click on the smaller one or click on the text next to the picture. These pictures are high resolution JPEG images. They are best viewed with your video driver set to 16.7 million color mode. Gamma settings vary between different monitors so you may need to adjust your monitor's brightness and contrast settings for each picture.

All of these photos are copyrighted © and may not be used without permission.

If you like bright colors in autumn, Worlds End State Parks is certainly a good place to be. The park is located in what's called the Endless Mountains. I have to admit the mountains do indeed seem endless when viewed from the two easily accessible vistas; the Loyalsock Canyon Vista and the High Knob Overlook. Early travelers journeyed along the first road which was on a high, steep slope which made many of them feel they were truly at the end of the world. However, for a period of time the park was incorrectly called Whirls End. In 1943, after completion of the park's facilities by the Civilian Conservation Corps, it was officially named Worlds End State Park.

Loyalsock Canyon Vista - Worlds End State Park, Pennsylvania

The Loyalsock Canyon Vista naturally overlooks the Loyalsock Canyon where a creek called Loyalsock Creek flows. Most of the park's facilities are located along the creek and include 19 cabins which can be rented throughout the year, a 70-site tent and trailer campground, a small swimming area, and picnic areas including four large pavilions. Activities include fishing, whitewater boating, cross-country skiing, and of course hiking.

Loyalsock Creek - Worlds End State Park, Pennsylvania

On this visit the creek was flowing quite slowly due to the lack of rain throughout the summer months. When the creek is flowing more swiftly, I can see how it could put a smile on a whitewater boater's face especially with the large number rocks of varying sizes. However, the creek is not considered suitable for open canoes.

High Knob Overlook - Wyoming State Forest , Pennsylvania

The High Knob Overlook is actually not located within Worlds End State Park, but is part of the Wyoming State Forest which is still located in what is called the Endless Mountains Region. From a broader perspective, the High Knob Overlook and Worlds End State Park are located about 25 miles Northeast of Williamsport. To reach Worlds End State Park from Interstate 80, exit North onto Interstate 180. Exit onto Route 405 and follow it North to Hughesville. Now follow Route 220 North to Laporte and then Route 154 to the park. The High Knob Overlook can be reached from Route 154 by taking Double Run Road inside the park and following it to High Knob Road. Travel on High Knob Road for about four miles to reach the overlook. For more information contact Worlds End State Park at 717-924-3287.

Loyalsock Canyon Vista:
Camera: Agfa Readyset Royal 1A (converted to use 120 film)
Lens: Graflex Optar 90mm f/6.8

High Knob Overlook and Loyalsock Creek:
Camera: Koni-Omega Rapid M
Lens: Koni-Omega Super Omegon 90mm f/3.5

Film: Agfa Ultra 50
Photographer: Jim
Story: Jim

Pine Creek Gorge. It's known as the Grand Canyon of Pennsylvania. While it's certainly not as grand as the Grand Canyon in Arizona, it's impressive for the mountains of Pennsylvania; especially when the colder days of autumn turn the leaves of the numerous hardwood trees various shades of yellow, red, and purple. Janet and I decided to visit a little before the peak of the colors so we could see the colors contrasted against the green summertime leaves.

The gorge was formed by glacial activity and water erosion. What's interesting is that Pine Creek which flows at the bottom of the gorge originally flowed in the opposite direction. When the glacier that once covered the area receded, it created a dam of gravel, sand, and clay that blocked the original northeasterly flow and caused the creek to start flowing south. The gorge stretches for 47 miles and has a depth of around 800 feet in the area of the two state parks called Leonard Harrison and Colton Point.

The Canyon - Colton Point State Park, Pennsylvania

Colton Point State Park is located on the west rim of the canyon. It is the lesser developed of the parks. However, it also seems to be less crowded. Here you will find a 25-site family campground, about 100 picnic tables, and five pavilions. The park has no paved areas, but the overlooks may show more autumn colors than at Leonard Harrison. There are four miles of hiking trails including the Turkey Path Trail that descends one mile to Pine Creek at the bottom of the gorge and ascends the other side before reaching Leonard Harrison State Park.

On one of the trails - Leonard Harrison State Park, Pennsylvania

Leonard Harrison State Park on the east rim is more modernized than Colton Point. The parking lot is paved, there are concrete walkways to the overlooks, and there is a small visitors center. This park is bigger and geared more for the tourist. It has a 30-site family campground, around 100 picnic tables, charcoal grills, and comfort stations. Leonard Harrison also offers many hiking trails including, of course, the Turkey Path Trail. On this side of the canyon the Turkey Path Trail, about halfway down, passes a scenic waterfall that flows from a creek called the Little Four-Mile Run. Be warned, the trails both here and at Colton Point can be dangerous. They traverse some rugged terrain. If you decide to descend into the gorge, make sure you are in good enough physical condition to climb back out. It's also important to equipped with the proper footwear.

Both state parks are located west of Wellsboro which is in the northcentral part of Pennsylvania. Leonard Harrison State Park can be reached by following Route 660 west out of Wellsboro for about 10 miles. Colton Point State Park can be reached by following Route 6 west out of Wellsboro and then turning south onto Colton Road near Ansonia. For more information, contact the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources at 717-724-3061.

Camera: Koni-Omega Rapid M
Lens: Koni-Omega Hexanon 90mm f/3.5
Film: Kodak PRN 100
Photographer: Jim
Story: Jim

The Seven Tubs Natural Area could at one time have referred to seven old bathtubs dumped in the middle of the woods. This site was once a local dump site, but after a great deal of effort and cleanup, there are certainly no bathtubs on the grounds now. So, what exactly is a tub? It's simply a pothole that was formed either by glacial activity or by water erosion.

One of the Tubs - Seven Tubs Natural Area, Pennsylvania

We arrived on a Saturday morning and found the area deserted. There is a standard parking area with a narrow trail to the tubs area and also a handicapped parking area with a wheelchair accessible trail to a bridge that spans Wheelbarrow Run. Wheelbarrow Run is a small creek that flows through the tubs and in fact may have created the tubs as one theory suggests. The view from the bridge is somewhat limited. To really see the tubs you have to follow one of the narrow trails on either side of Wheelbarrow Run. The creek runs through a narrow ravine and the trail follows along the edge which can be somewhat dangerous in certain spots. If one were to slip on the rocks and fall into the creek or a tub, we're not sure if there would be an easy way to get back out.

One of the small waterfalls - Seven Tubs Natural Area, Pennsylvania

An interesting effect is that the swiftly running water is white before it enters a tub where it slows down and turns green before once again turning white and swift as it exits the tub. Between the tubs the water sometimes flows down small waterfalls as it twists its way among the rocky terrain.

The 527 acre Seven Tubs Natural Area is located about four mile southeast of the city of Wilkes-Barre in northeastern Pennsylvania. It's easily reached from Interstate 81 by taking the PA route 115 south exit. Follow PA route 115 about 1.6 miles and turn right when you see the sign. Keep a close watch because the sign is easy to miss.

Camera: Chinon CM-3 35mm SLR
Lens: Soligor 35-200mm f/3.8-5.3 macro
Film: Kodak Royal Gold 200
Photographer: Jim
Story: Jim

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